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If the grass on the other side of the fence appears greener...
it must be all the fertilizer they are using.
- Kevin Rodowicz
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One of the reasons gardeners use mulch is to squelch the weed growth in their
gardens. Mulch also helps conserve water by retaining moisture in the soil. It also helps with erosion, and as organic
mulch decays, it provides nutrients to the soil. Mulch also helps moderate the soil temperature.
There are
two basic types of mulch...organic and inorganic. Both have their pros and cons. Let's explore them a bit more.
Examples of organic mulch are shredded bark or wood, grass clippings or leaves. The great thing about organic mulches is
they break down and as they do, they add nutrients to the soil. The bad thing (if you look at it that way) about organic
mulches is they break down, and you will have to reapply often. Organic mulch helps the soil retain moisture, reduce weeds,
and helps moderate the soil temperature.
Examples of inorganic mulch are rocks, rubber or glass. These mulches
do not break down, and can be very colorful in the choices available. While inorganic mulches do help reduce weeds, they do
not add nutrients to the soil, nor do they help moderate the soil temperature. Inorganic mulches will actually make the
soil hotter in the summer, and do not offer much protection in the winter. These types of mulches are used mainly for aesthetics.
Tips on applying mulch:
 - Measure your landscape to determine the amount of mulch you will need.
(Take the square footage of your garden times the depth of mulch you want. Then take that answer and divide by 324 to get
to the amount of cubic feet you will need to cover your garden.) Lowe's has a great calculator that will do it for you.
Click HERE.
- Determine your budget. Mulch costs from nothing to an arm and a leg.
- Decide on the texture, color and maintenance fits your needs.
- Plant new plants before mulching.
- Pull weeds before applying
mulch.
- Clean out your beds before reapply mulch, or applying for the
first time.
- Apply liberally. Apply 1-2 inches of mulch over your garden.
If a mulch is fine, like grass clippings or shredded leaves, then 1" may be enough. Wood chips are more course and may
need 2" to be helpful.
- Keep mulch from touching tree trunks to prevent
rotting, mildew or other disease.
- Reapply organic mulch to maintain the 1-2"
rule. It depends on the rate that the mulch breaks down, or the look you would like. I like to reapply annually, but I would
recommend at least every other year.
- For organic mulches, watch out for compaction.
If the mulch is not loose, it will not allow water and nutrients to flow through properly, and can begin to mildew. If you
see this use a rake or trowel to loosen it up a bit. If you see mildew or fungus, remove it from your garden.
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Organic Mulches
Hardwood mulch- Shredded and composted bark from hardwood trees.
Lumber mills remove this before the tree is made into lumber. The darker the wood, the longer it has been aged.
Cypress mulch- Made from Cypress trees that are grown in Florida and/or southern Georgia. Cypress bark repels
bugs and last longer because it is naturally resistant to decay. The downside is it does not add much nutrition value to the
soil.
Cedar mulch- Cedar mulch is similar in properties to cypress mulch in that it repels bugs
and resists decaying. It does loose it's color quicker than most mulches. It tends to fade to grey, much like cedar fences
do that are not stained or protected.
Pine Bark mulch- Pine bark mulch comes only from pine trees,
available more in the central to eastern parts of the US. Pine bark has a different look than most hardwood mulches. It does
not compact as easily and it retains it's color much longer.
Finely shredded wood chips or bark-
this is much like the hardwood mulch, but it has gone through more than one process cycle to shred the mulch.
Pine
Needles- This is a very popular mulch in the south. It has a very unique look. It does not compact. Pine needles
look great in a woodlands setting.
Cocoa-bean shells- CHOCOLATE! Cocoa shells are a by-product
of the chocolate industry. It will put off a chocolaty aroma. It is a darker brown color, and has been found to resist slugs
and termites. If you have a dog, DO NOT use this type of mulch as it has been shown to make dogs ill. Click HERE to check out Hershey's cocoa shell website.
Nut shells- Some examples are pecan or almond
shells. These come from the nut industry.
Grass clippings- These are in steady supply during
the growing season, and it is free if you don't count your labor. Sprinkle grass clipping on in a thin layer. Grass tends
to mat together quickly. This is also best done if the clippings are dries vs. fresh off the lawn. Do not use the clippings
if it has been treated with chemicals.
Shredded leaves- Make sure the leaves are shredded.
Like the grass clippings, apply lightly in layers. Watch for compaction. Leaves will break down fairly quickly so you will
have to reapply more often.
Inorganic Mulches
Stone, gravel or rock- There are a wide variety and colors available.
These work best if you use a plastic weed barrier underneath.
Rubber- This type mulch is made
from shredded, recycled tires. It can be died to look natural, or it is also available in various colors. Many people use
this under their swing sets or playgrounds. It is soft, and will last for quite some time. Rubber is also available in preformed
mats.
Glass- Glass is much like stone or rock in it's function. It is best when a plastic
barrier is placed underneath. The glass is polished so there are no sharp edges. It can really stand out in an art garden.
Plastic- A plastic tarp or specially made weed barriers are best placed underneath inorganic
mulches. Plastic does not allow water to penetrate, but the spun fabrics of the weed barriers does. It does a good job preventing
weeds from popping through, however it makes the ground a lot hotter in the summer.
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